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The judge added: "It is clear to me that the carrying and use of corrosive liquids is rapidly becoming a serious and growing problem in London and, in particular, in this part of London.

"So too are crimes committed using scooters."

John sprayed the acid into the faces of six motorcyclists during a two-hour robbery spree.

He was the passenger on a moped, driven by another unidentified person, and carried out the attacks between 9.30pm and 11.41pm on July 13, 2017.

Derryck John inside the Texaco garage (Image: Met Police)

Ramesh Patel, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Derryck John claimed he was not involved in these attacks. CCTV from a petrol station was key to his identification and conviction.

“He was filmed stepping off a stolen Vespa scooter, lifting his motorcycle helmet and revealing his face.

“That evidence, alongside further material including CCTV of Derryck John wearing the same clothes and shoes during the attacks, led to his guilty pleas on the day of the trial.

“One of the victims has lost 30 per cent of his eyesight which he will never recover. Others described searing pain and burning at the time and have been forced to leave their jobs as a result of their injuries.

Deryck John

“Had they not been wearing helmets their injuries could have been much more serious.

“Our thoughts are with them as John now faces the consequences of his appalling actions.”

Detective sergeant James Leeks from Hackney CID said: “John did not think twice about using a life changing and even potentially life-threatening substance against those who resisted his robbery attempts. Acid attacks ruin lives and have no place in our society.

“It beggars belief that anyone would be prepared to scar someone for life and leave them to live with life-changing injuries for the sake of a phone or a moped.

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"We are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who steal scooters and use them to snatch valuables from members of the public.

"We have a particular focus on the small number of criminals prepared to use corrosive substances to do so.

“If someone is in fear of being attacked with acid, or knows someone who is going to use it, they need to report it to police or confidentially through Crimestoppers. Your information will be actioned and you will be fully supported.”